Dr. Brendan Crabb

Biography

Professor Brendan Crabb is a renowned infectious disease researcher with a special interest in malaria. His research group focuses on genetic approaches to understand malaria parasite biology, aiming to prioritize vaccine and drug targets. A molecular scientist by training, Professor Crabb is committed to addressing both technical and non-technical barriers to maternal, newborn, and child health in the developing world. He has established a significant research field site in East New Britain, Papua New Guinea, dedicated to identifying the underlying drivers of low birth weight and stunting in resource-poor settings. Since 2008, he has served as Director and CEO of the Macfarlane Burnet Institute for Medical Research and Public Health, steering the institute's focus towards health initiatives for neglected populations. Additionally, Professor Crabb is a past-President of the Association of Australian Medical Research Institutes and has played a key role in transformative government policy initiatives, including the establishment of the $20 billion Medical Research Future Fund. He is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science and the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences, as well as the Australian Society for Microbiology. His impressive contributions to the field of infectious diseases have been recognized with Australia’s highest civilian honour, the Companion of the Order of Australia.

Research Interests

Experience